appropriate

Adjective: /əˈproʊpriət/, Verb: /əˈproʊprieɪt/ neutral to formal

Say it: Adjective: uh-PRO-pree-it, Verb: uh-PRO-pree-ate

1. adjective Suitable or proper for a particular situation, person, or purpose.
He wore a dark suit, which was appropriate for the solemn occasion.
2. verb To take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
The company was criticized for appropriating the artist's design without credit.
3. verb To set aside money or assets for a special purpose.
The legislature appropriated ten million dollars for disaster relief.

📖 Seen in the wild

The government decided to appropriate funds for the new infrastructure project.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ appropriate in a sentence

It's not appropriate to ask someone their salary in a casual conversation.
The film's director was accused of culturally appropriating the story of a marginalized group.
Please take appropriate action to resolve the customer's complaint.
Finding an appropriate moment to bring up the issue was difficult.
The city council voted to appropriate funds for a new public library.
Her witty and appropriate response diffused the tension in the room.
The invading army appropriated civilian vehicles for its own use.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

suitable proper fitting apt seemly befitting relevant applicable

suitable · focuses more on practical fitness for a purpose.

proper · implies adherence to established rules or social conventions.

fitting · suggests a harmonious or aesthetically pleasing match.

apt · highlights a clever or particularly relevant quality.

Opposites: inappropriate, unsuitable, improper, unfitting, unseemly

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the Latin 'appropriare', meaning 'to make one's own', from 'ad' (to) and 'proprius' (one's own). This origin neatly captures both the modern adjective's sense of being 'owned' by or fitting for a situation, and the verb's sense of literally taking something for oneself.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

appropriate actionappropriate responsedeem appropriateculturally appropriateappropriate funds for

The most important thing to know about 'appropriate' is that its pronunciation changes with its part of speech. The adjective ends with a short 'it' sound (uh-PRO-pree-it), while the verb ends with a long 'ate' sound (uh-PRO-pree-ate). Also, be aware of the different connotations: the adjective is neutral or positive, but the verb sense of 'to take' is almost always negative, as in 'cultural appropriation'.

Word family: appropriately, appropriateness, appropriation, inappropriate

💬 Quick answers

What does 'appropriate' mean?

As an adjective, it means suitable or right for the circumstances. As a verb, it means to take something without permission, or to officially set aside money for a specific purpose.

How do you pronounce 'appropriate'?

The pronunciation depends on the part of speech. The adjective is pronounced uh-PRO-pree-it, ending with a short 'it' sound. The verb is pronounced uh-PRO-pree-ate, ending with a long 'ate' sound.

What is the difference between 'appropriate' and 'suitable'?

'Appropriate' often implies a social, moral, or ethical correctness for a situation. 'Suitable' is more general and often refers to a practical fit, like having the right tools for a job.

What is cultural appropriation?

It refers to the act of adopting elements of an outside, often minority, culture without understanding or respecting the original context. This is an example of the verb sense meaning 'to take without permission'.

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